View Full Version : I cannot find the tattoo forum, so am hoping this will do
I pretty much do not judge anyone, save for the occasional person walking towards me on the street, wielding the usual, you know grim visage, chain saw, flame thrower whilst littering.
I do sometimes wonder about how some people wear their trousers at half-mast; this is all genders and all ages, especially old guys unless they wear their pant up under their armpits.
But, the kind of tattoo that is a nickname or meaningful phrase that is across the upper chest, from shoulder to shoulder confounds me, if only for how much that must hurt. I have a small, back shoulder tattoo and that was a great although sufficient experience for me.
I guess my question is that I did experience the endorphin rush on my little tat, very, very nice by the way, but I wonder if big pain on big tattoos is part of the appeal. You know, part of the process, sort of ritualistic. I have read about cultural tattooing and other skin things, scarring and piercing, so I get that.
What part of contemporary experience calls some of us to extreme physical challenges? I guess that I am answering my question as I continue to write this, but I am still interested what other people think.
I do not know. How I do feel is that each generation try's to set themselves part from the old timers. Not all of course. I have a son who has most of his body done now. He has the entire chest done with one such as you mentioned. His ears are gaged. These are all personal artistic drawings worthy of being framed if they were on canvas. Having said that, he will be dated sooner then later. As in a few generations those young one won't want to look like the old inked generation.
Ps I hate my pierced ears. Had 5 in 1975, then kept four, now I keep two small posts in as I just want then other two holes to be gone. So I hope my son has no regrets someday on his body art.
Yeah, those gages! How do you deal with those when you're older and re-think (regret) the whole thing? I've seen ear lobes stretched down to the shoulders.
For my 70th birthday (this past July 1st), my sister and I got matching tattoos - a heart with the peace sign inside just above our ankles. First time for both of us and we love our tattoos. Kind of a "when I get old I shall wear purple" kind of thing.
I heard once a saying when you love someone you won't see the tattoos, only the person. That is how I feel about my son. Everyone else I do not know, I never look at the ink, gages, piercing or hair. I maybe wrong, but if they are looking far different then the others, then they want me to notice, so therefor I do not.
i don't know if he will regret all the ink or not. The gages I know can be repaired. I can't imagine still liking the same thing at 50 as 25, but never know.
I also don't know the reason behind wanting multiple tattoos other then to rebel, a form of self expression, and to be seen as an "individual" (ha ha - yeah right, when everyone else is doing it). I agree with the others that eventually it will become "old" and something else will take it's place with the next generation. I don't see it as an extreme physical thing (hurts less then crashing on your mountain bike when jumping cliffs for instance :-)!) but I think they can be very beautifully done so maybe that makes the person desire more "body art". I have a small tattoo on the inside of my wrist that I got when I was in the service - just name, service number, blood type for ID purposes - but it was done very small and pretty with some intertwined leaves and tiny flowers. Wouldn't get anymore though - don't even like to wear jewelry very often - so decorating my body permanently would be the last think I'd want to do.
Such interesting and helpful replies. I love sisters getting symbols.
I guess my question is that I did experience the endorphin rush on my little tat, very, very nice by the way, but I wonder if big pain on big tattoos is part of the appeal.
I've heard people make this argument before, but it is one I don't quite understand.
The pain is fleeting, during the tattoo process. It may be a fun one-time endorphin rush, but it isn't ongoing, or repeatable unless you get new tattoos all the time.
I engage in several hobbies/physical activities on a daily basis that provide incredible endorphin highs. It's quite therapeutic, and a bit addictive. If the tattoo fan was highly motivated by the pain/endorphins, there are less expensive, more repeatable methods easily available.
I've never been a fan of tattoo's, although I'll admit there is a lot of artistic merit in some of what I see. I can pinpoint my aversion to being a young child in the 50's and asking my uncle about the tattoo on his arm. It was the name of his first wife, a woman I never met. He was on wife #2 at the time.
I asked him why he put the name there and he said "Damned if I know". That helped me learn at a very early age that loves, desires, attitudes and fashion don't last and are best not permanently memorialized on your body.
Endorphins? Pain? Never felt either with mine. Still love it after 20 years. To assume someone will regret their decision as you might is just rude. You can only know your own feelings, never someone else's.
Gardenarian
7-8-14, 5:26pm
I've heard the experience can be quite addictive - maybe a combination of the endorphins and of making a bold and permanent statement.
Our culture provides little in the way of rites of passage, and I think tattoos, piercing, gages and so on are a way of filling this gap. We need more rites and rituals in our lives - whether we're turning 18 or 75.
I don't have any tattoos myself. I got my ears pierced after my fiance dumped me, but I rarely even wear earrings. Although I don't find tattoos unattractive on other people, I'd rather my dd didn't get any, and I have made a deal that I will give her $1000 dollars if she gets to 25 years old without smoking cigarettes or getting tattoos.
I like this poem by Tina Fey (from the book "Bossypants") on the topic:
“First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches.
May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it’s the Damage that draws the creepy soccer coach’s eye, not the Beauty.
When the Crystal Meth is offered, May she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half And stick with Beer.
Guide her, protect her
When crossing the street, stepping onto boats, swimming in the ocean, swimming in pools, walking near pools, standing on the subway platform, crossing 86th Street, stepping off of boats, using mall restrooms, getting on and off escalators, driving on country roads while arguing, leaning on large windows, walking in parking lots, riding Ferris wheels, roller-coasters, log flumes, or anything called “Hell Drop,” “Tower of Torture,” or “The Death Spiral Rock ‘N Zero G Roll featuring Aerosmith,” and standing on any kind of balcony ever, anywhere, at any age.
Lead her away from Acting but not all the way to Finance. Something where she can make her own hours but still feel intellectually fulfilled and get outside sometimes And not have to wear high heels.
What would that be, Lord? Architecture? Midwifery? Golf course design? I’m asking You, because if I knew, I’d be doing it, Youdammit.
May she play the Drums to the fiery rhythm of her Own Heart with the sinewy strength of her Own Arms, so she need Not Lie With Drummers.
Grant her a Rough Patch from twelve to seventeen. Let her draw horses and be interested in Barbies for much too long, For childhood is short – a Tiger Flower blooming Magenta for one day – And adulthood is long and dry-humping in cars will wait.
O Lord, break the Internet forever, That she may be spared the misspelled invective of her peers And the online marketing campaign for Rape Hostel V: Girls Just Wanna Get Stabbed.
And when she one day turns on me and calls me a Bitch in front of Hollister, Give me the strength, Lord, to yank her directly into a cab in front of her friends, For I will not have that Shit. I will not have it.
And should she choose to be a Mother one day, be my eyes, Lord, that I may see her, lying on a blanket on the floor at 4:50 A.M., all-at-once exhausted, bored, and in love with the little creature whose poop is leaking up its back.
“My mother did this for me once,” she will realize as she cleans feces off her baby’s neck. “My mother did this for me.” And the delayed gratitude will wash over her as it does each generation and she will make a Mental Note to call me. And she will forget. But I’ll know, because I peeped it with Your God eyes.”
I've never been a fan of tattoo's, although I'll admit there is a lot of artistic merit in some of what I see. I can pinpoint my aversion to being a young child in the 50's and asking my uncle about the tattoo on his arm. It was the name of his first wife, a woman I never met. He was on wife #2 at the time.
I asked him why he put the name there and he said "Damned if I know". That helped me learn at a very early age that loves, desires, attitudes and fashion don't last and are best not permanently memorialized on your body.
My stepfather was in the Navy well before he met my mother and like most sailors back then came back with a few tatoos. He married my mother when he was 28 and she was 38 with 4 kids (uber-cougar, my mom was!). One of his tattoos was a heart with the name of an ex-girlfriend, and my mother made him remove not only that tattoo, but all of them (maybe about 4-5 on his arms). They had to do skin grafts off his thighs and literally patch them on his arms. His arms were hairy, so it looked so odd, and the hair never grew back on the grafts.
I was very strict with my kids about permanent body stuff like piercings, hair dye and tattoos. Now that my DD is 28, she recently got a tattoo--very rebellious for my family. It's on her arm, and is tasteful and symbolic of different aspects of her life.
I think I've mentioned this before, but if I ever got a tattoo it would say (if my French is correct) "Ceci n'est pas moi" (This is not me)
So far, everyone I know who has a tattoo(s), and even strangers I have asked, simply like having their tattoo(s). The actual tattoo, itself, is usually something personal (representative of something, something they have an affinity for, they simply like, etc).
I also have a tattoo. I like it. It has meaning to me and being in my mid-50s, I still like it and have no regrets getting it.
Simplemind
7-8-14, 10:59pm
I can't even commit to pictures on my walls. Besides, at this age I'm more interested in having things removed instead of added.
My DD has some friends from college that are no longer happy with how their tummy tattoos look after a couple pregnancies. >8)
I find some tattoos to be very beautiful, but I have always been very wary myself of putting anything permanent like that on my own body. To each their own. I do think someday they will be considered to be totally uncool by younger generations. ;)
My DD has some friends from college that are no longer happy with how their tummy tattoos look after a couple pregnancies. >8)
Good point. Things sag and shrivel and droop as we get older (well...not us here at the SLF but, you know, other people :-)!) and that nice tattoo you get when young may not look so good, or at least not the same, when you get older. Mine's on the inside of my wrist so probably don't have to worry too much out droopage there as I age ...I hope :-)!
ToomuchStuff
7-9-14, 9:38am
I've heard people make this argument before, but it is one I don't quite understand.
The pain is fleeting, during the tattoo process. It may be a fun one-time endorphin rush, but it isn't ongoing, or repeatable unless you get new tattoos all the time.
I engage in several hobbies/physical activities on a daily basis that provide incredible endorphin highs. It's quite therapeutic, and a bit addictive. If the tattoo fan was highly motivated by the pain/endorphins, there are less expensive, more repeatable methods easily available.
There is a LOT I don't understand in life. To me, this argument, represents masochistic tendencies with either or both artisitic sides or culture one grew up around. A more colorful self harm thing, and I understand that.
There is a gal I know that always tells her kids and her students when she taught, not to get tattoo's. But she goes on to say she and two friends got one together, when a friend passed on too young, in a bad accident. (she was in her late 40's when she did that) She didn't know how to explain well, that some have long term meaning, while others, will be regretted.
Friends wife, regretted getting a tattoo on her shoulder, when she got married (showed in the wedding dress). The one tattoo that stuck with me (I don't have it, read about it), was DNR above the belly button on a paramedic. I always wondered what if they changed their mind about resuscitation, later in life?
happystuff
7-11-14, 5:12pm
The one tattoo that stuck with me (I don't have it, read about it), was DNR above the belly button on a paramedic. I always wondered what if they changed their mind about resuscitation, later in life?
Good point. I actually have changed my mind on this as I've gotten older... I don't want to be resuscitated. I am going to have to seriously think about a second tattoo now.
I can't even commit to pictures on my walls. Besides, at this age I'm more interested in having things removed instead of added.
Lol. I'm 53 and only recently decided what I want for what will be my first, and probably only, tattoo. If I actually go through with it. Reflecting on the choices I made in my 20s I am quite certain that any ink from that period would have been a candidate for a painful and expensive removal process in my 50s. The difference now is that I can gather a full lifetime of experiences and hopefully a little wisdom into a tasteful expression of a message to myself. If it turns out that I regret it in my 80s I'm pretty confident that I'll be able to say, "who gives a $#!?, I'm just glad to be in my 80s!"
iris lilies
7-18-14, 11:06am
I can't even commit to pictures on my walls. Besides, at this age I'm more interested in having things removed instead of added.
There is so much universal truth in this, haha!
iris lilies
7-18-14, 11:08am
Now I'm wondering if we need a tattoo forum. :~)
Now I'm wondering if we need a tattoo forum. :~)
Would there be pictures? :0!
IshbelRobertson
7-18-14, 2:37pm
One thing that always amazes me is when foreigners visit Scottish sites asking for a translation of some weird slogan for a tattoo! Mostly the phrases are unable to be translated accurately. The requester won't have a CLUE what they are willing to have inked on their body forever.... That way... Madness lies!
iris lilies
7-18-14, 7:38pm
Would there be pictures? :0!
yes, please. modeled by Colin Ferrell. Or for Spartana, Sven.
Mostly the phrases are unable to be translated accurately. The requester won't have a CLUE what they are willing to have inked on their body forever.... That way... Madness lies!
My favorite is when people go for Chinese characters but have no idea what they actually say:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/ellievhall/ridiculous-chinese-character-tattoos-translated
Lol. I'm 53 and only recently decided what I want for what will be my first, and probably only, tattoo. If I actually go through with it. Reflecting on the choices I made in my 20s I am quite certain that any ink from that period would have been a candidate for a painful and expensive removal process in my 50s. The difference now is that I can gather a full lifetime of experiences and hopefully a little wisdom into a tasteful expression of a message to myself. If it turns out that I regret it in my 80s I'm pretty confident that I'll be able to say, "who gives a $#!?, I'm just glad to be in my 80s!"
So, I am guessing that it will be Tweety Bird on your ankle.
Gardenarian.....that's a really cool poem from Tina Fey! How we do worry about our kids!
My favorite is when people go for Chinese characters but have no idea what they actually say:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/ellievhall/ridiculous-chinese-character-tattoos-translated
DS has a large character between his shoulder blades. It was supposed to be a four part process, two characters, one above the other, then shading or accents of some kind for each that gave the final meaning to the whole deal. He did the green part on the first character and never went back. Not sure if the tattoo hurt that much or if it had something to do with him breaking up with his then Chinese girlfriend. Either way, its gibberish now.
No Tweety Birds, Jilly. A fair number of onions, carrots and celery, though.
iris lilies
7-19-14, 6:30pm
There is an English guy who is an AKC judge for Bulldogs who has a bulldog on his P-E-N-I-S. ouch. If he gets drunk enough he will show you.
And then, this is a small-world-in-my-city story: My next door neighbor whose house is literally 1/2 inch from mine modeled at Washington University Art School for their drawing classes. That is nude modeling, of course. She had a couple of tattoos on her breasts. So she was talking to the art professor there one day about tattoos, and the art prof pulled up her shirt and showed my neighbor her bulldog tattoo. Of course my neighbor told me about this because we have bulldogs, and it turns out that the art prof showed bulldogs and I knew her because she had moved from New York to St. Louis and immediately contacted our bulldog club about membership.
But then, that's the way things are in St. Louis, it's 1 degree of separation from everyone.
One of my son's is on his neck behind ear. In black a branch with a bird sitting watching other bird fly away. Yes the big break up with X. My thought was at 25 gotcha, but at 50 will he really remember the event with such sadness? At 27 he is already healed from the big event.
yes, please. modeled by Colin Ferrell. Or for Spartana, Sven.Now don't take all my fun away - I want both of them to model together!
cindycindy
7-22-14, 9:57pm
My DD25 just passed the nursing boards and got a tattoo of a nightingale bird (for Florence Nightingale). Apparently, it's a nursing thing...especially for the young ones. I did get a piercing when I turned 50...a mid life crisis thing.
I've had my tattoo 20 years. I've considered getting another one, but could never decide on a final design. The pain was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. My tat is small. I've never had any regrets. And I am terrified of pain so I can't say anything about endorphin rushes.
rodeosweetheart
10-1-14, 8:30am
You can tell when you are a horse person, when you read your title, and think, as I did,
Cannot find the tattoo--it is under the lip! (thoroughbreds)
Really don't like tattoos (tramp stamps). Too permanent and can look dreadful when you get older! Sorry if this offends.
Teacher Terry
10-1-14, 2:00pm
I have a small flower on my ankle that I got when I was 45 & 15 years later I still love it.
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